For the past 10 years, Foxes Pride has been at the forefront of creating an inclusive, welcoming community for LGBTQ+ Leicester City FC supporters.

Foxes Pride: Advocates for Change in Football

Foxes Pride was founded by Graeme Smith and Gareth Miller to address the lack of LGBTQ+ representation in football. It started as a reaction to Leicester City's decision not to join the Rainbow Laces campaign, but has since grown into a vibrant group of over 260 members. Their mission is to create a safer, more inclusive environment for all football fans.

Foxes Pride has become a leading voice in the movement for LGBTQ+ inclusion, working tirelessly to ensure all Leicester City fans feel safe, supported and represented in the game. Over the years, they have built strong partnerships with Leicester City FC, advocating for greater visibility and inclusivity.

Through regular engagement with the club’s players, representing Leicester City at Pride events and raising awareness about homophobia, Foxes Pride has made a lasting impact both inside and outside the stadium.

Football’s Ongoing Fight Against Homophobia

While Foxes Pride’s work has been instrumental in changing attitudes, the fight against homophobia in football is far from over. Both the men’s and women’s games have made progress, but as Graeme Smith explained: "Football is still not a safe place for LGBTQ+ people, especially in the men’s game. We need to make sure that everyone feels safe, whether they’re players, staff, or fans."

That’s why initiatives like Football v Homophobia are so crucial. Foxes Pride supports this campaign in its ongoing mission to educate and raise awareness about the importance of LGBTQ+ inclusion in the sport.

Mags Keatman, Co-chair of Foxes Pride said: "Football vs Homophobia is a chance to get the message out about LGBTQ+ issues in the game and we really want to keep that message going throughout the year."

By championing campaigns like Football v Homophobia and amplifying the voices of groups like Foxes Pride, LRCFA is committed to driving meaningful change in the game. But the fight against discrimination doesn’t stop here, it’s a collective effort that requires continued action and allyship from players, clubs, and fans alike.

How You Can Support Football v Homophobia

Football should be a place where everyone feels safe, respected, and included. Through the efforts of organisations like Foxes Pride and the continued support for campaigns like Football v Homophobia, we can continue to challenge discrimination by inspiring positive change and ensuring that football is a space where everyone can be themselves.

We encourage clubs and leagues across Leicestershire and Rutland to sign up on the Football v Homophobia website to become FvH Champions.

Grassroots organisations can gain access to valuable information and resources to help adopt inclusive environments within their teams and communities.

Find out more about how you can support Football v Homophobia and stand against discrimination in football here.